Theftproof merchandise display



United States Patent 3,517,827 THEFTPROOF MERCHANDISE DISPLAY Louis JohnCrosslen, Grafton, and Elio Vicenzi, Milwaukee, Wis., assignors to FrankMayer & Associates,

Inc., Grafton, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed May 20, 1968, Ser.No. 730,454 Int. Cl. A47f 5/02 US. Cl. 211-163 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A display device having a plurality of relatively movablesupport members provided with cooperable merchandise receiving anddisplay spindle elements and adapted to be simultaneously locked againstdisplacement by a common locking mechanism to prevent unauthorizedremoval of the merchandise from the spindles while being readilyreleasable for removal of the displayed merchandise by authorizedpersonnel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is related to co-pendingUS. patent application Ser. No. 680,174, filed Nov. 2, 1967 in the nameof Louis John Crosslen and entitled Theftproof Merchandise Display.

BACKGROUND In the promotion and display of merchandise in retail storesand the like, it is generally acknowledged that maximum sales appeal isgenerated by displaying the merchandise in a manner whereby it may behandled by the potential customer.

However, whenever merchandise is displayed for free handling by thegeneral public either on counters or on special display racks or thelike, the problem of pilferage or thievery is present, and especiallywith present help shortages, it is extremely difficult to control theloss of merchandise displayed in this manner.

It is also highly desirable to display the merchandise in an attractivemanner which affords the potential customer as much room as possiblewhile permitting expansion and while still conserving valuable fioor andcounter space for the display of other merchandise and for clerical workand check-out.

In addition, it adds greatly to the sales appeal and product promotionto utilize signs and placards of an informative nature in directconjunction with the merchandise in order to direct the interestedcustomers to the display area while effectively advertising the productand its origin.

In the above identified co-pending application, a merchandise display isdisclosed which satisfactorily meets all of the foregoing requirementswith regard to attractiveness, space conservation, informativeadvertising, customer comfort, individuality of display, readyexpansion, and relative safety from pilferage and thievery. However, insuch device, the merchandise is received by and supported on a pluralityof spindles, each of which is independently axially displaceable, andthese spindles accordingly required separate hand assembly operations ofa variety of parts.

SUMMARY It is accordingly an object of the present invention to providea merchandise display which obviates the disadvantages attendant prioravailable display devices and which may be produced at low cost with aminimum number of parts.

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Another object of the invention is to provide an extremely attractiveunitary display device which eliminates the need of separate axiallydisplacable spindle assemblages while retaining such advantages aseither being adapted for support on a floor pedestal or on a counter orother surface and which may be readily expanded to meet displayrequirements without impairing its effectiveness.

A further object of this invention is to provide a merchandise displaywhich is an improvement over prior devices of this type and whichaffords the customer an opportunity to carefully examine a large numberof individual articles of merchandise at a single station without needfor close clerical supervision and Without any appreciable danger ofunauthorized removal and/or loss of the displayed merchandise.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a merchandisedisplay which comprises, means for supporting a plurality of cooperablesupport members for relative axial movement, means on the supportmembers providing axially spaced and alined spindle elements forreceiving articles of merchandise to be displayed, means for urging thesupport members axially away from each other to a position whereby thearticles of merchandise may be placed on and removed from selectedalined pairs of spindle elements, and means operable to move the supportmembers axially toward each other and thereby prevent removal of thearticles of merchandise from the spindle elements.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description.

THE DRAWINGS A clear conception of the features constituting the presentinvention and of the mode of constructing and utilizing a typicalmerchandise display embodying the invention, may be had by referring to.the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specificationwherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts inthe several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical carousel type merchandisedisplay embodying the invention and showing an article of merchandisesecured between and locked on an axially alined pair of spindleelements;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the display with the locking device releasedand the support members urged apart to permit removal of the articlefrom the spindle elements as shown;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section through the display device inlocked position as in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a similar fragmentary section through the display but with thedevice unlocked as in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While the invention has been shown and describedherein as being embodied in a carousel-type merchandising displayconsistnig of only a single tier adapted for display on a counter or thelike, it is to be understood that the novel features are applicable todisplays of different types comprising a plurality of axially alinedtiers and adapted for mounting on a pedestal or the like for displayinga variety of merchandise, and it is not intended or desired tounnecessarily limit the invention by reason of the specific embodimentsshown. It is also contemplated that the broadest possible interpretationconsistent with the disclosure shall be given to descriptive terminologyas used herein.

Referring to the drawings, the merchandise display shown therein asembodying the invention comprises generally one or more tiers of axiallyalined merchandise display racks indicated generally by the numeral 10.Each of the tiers consists of a pair of axially spaced support members12, 14 shown herein as being of disc shape and each having a centralaperture for reception on an upright shaft 16. The shaft 16 is securedto and extends upwardly from a suitable base 18 and may be of anydesired length for receiving one or more tiers or pairs of the supportmembers 12, 14 disposed one above the other on the shaft. Also, thepedestal formed by the base 18 and shaft 16 may be either of the typeshown herein which is adapted for counter display or of the floor typewherein the shaft is of any desired length and is provided with anabutment for properly positioning the members 12, 14 at the desiredheight.

The support members 12, 14 are preferably rotatably rece1ved on theshaft 16, and for this purpose, suitable anti-friction bearings 20, 22may be provided below the lower member 12 and above the upper member 14of each pair respectively. Each pair of members 12, 14 are also spacedaxially from each other a minimum predetermined distance while beingrelatively axially movable to a lim- 1ted extent beyond suchpredetermined minimum. For this purpose as Well as to key the members12, 14 of each set together and thereby prevent relative rotationalmovement thereof, the member 12 is provided with an annular series ofspaced upwardly directed spacer and guide posts 24 each having a reducedend portion 26 slidably received in an alined aperture 28 in the othermember 14, and the member 14 is formed with a similar annular serles ofalternately spaced downwardly directed spacer and guide posts 30 eachalso having a reduced end portion 32 slidably received in an alinedaperture 34 in the member 12.

Axial displacement of the members 12, 14 is prevented by means of pins36, 38 or the like adjacent the ends of the reduced portions 26, 32 ofthe respective posts 24, 30, and these pins 36, 38 cooperate with theshoulders 40, 42 formed by the respective reduced portions to permitlimited relative axial movement of the members 12, 14 withinpredetermined limits. The members 12, 14 are furthermore constantlyresiliently urged apart by means of a spring 44 or the like to thefullest extent permitted by the stops 36, 38, the coil spring 44 beingcompressed between the adjacent faces of the support members 12, 14.

Each of the members 12, 14 is also formed with an annular series ofequally spaced and aixally alined spindle shafts 46, 48 respectively forreceiving articles of merchandise 50 to be displayed. As shown, thespindle shafts 46 project upwardly from the lower member 12 toward thedownwardly projecting spindle shafts 48 of the upper member 14 of eachset, and the articles 50 to be displayed are provided with alinedapertures for reception and retention on selected pairs of alinedspindle shafts. Also, as shown, the upper spindle shafts 48 are somewhatlonger than the lower spindle shafts 46 to thereby prevent freedisplacement of the articles 50 therefrom whenever the members 12, 14are spread apart to their fullest extent While permitting removalthereof by first raising the selected article and then angularlydisplacing the same from the lower spindle shaft as shown in FIG. 2.

To simultaneously lock the articles 50 against displacement from thespindle shafts 46, 48, it is only necessary to move the support members12, 14 axially toward each other to the extent permitted by theshoulders 40, 42 of the reduced portions 26, 32 of the guide posts, andfor such purpose, a cam lever 52 is provided on the shaft 16 above theupper member 14. This cam lever 52 may be pivotally secured to the shaft16 as by means of a pivot pin 54 and has a cam surface 56 coacting withthe upper bearing 22 to further compress the spring 44 and move themembers 12, 14 axially toward each other when swung to one position asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3 while permitting the spring 44 to spread themembers 12, 14

4 apart when swung to another position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

If desired, any appropriate advertising or promotional sign 60 may bereadily attached to the display without interfering with the cam lever52 or the support members 12, 14. For this purpose, the upper end of theshaft 16 is provided with a sleeve 62, and the sign 60 is formed with asupporting leg 64 secured in a suitable manner to the sleeve 62. Itshould of course be understood that the sleeve 62 and sign supportingleg 64 must be sized and designed to permit free swinging movement ofthe cam lever 52 selectively to and from locking and released positions.Also, appropriate means may be readily provided for positively lockingthe cam lever in its article locking position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is believed apparent thatthe present invention contemplates the provision of a merchandisingdisplay device which provides for ready application and/or removal ofmerchandise by authorized personnel familiar with the locking actionafforded by the cam lever 52 while also affording protection againsttampering and/or pilferage by unauthorized personnel not familiar withthe locking action. The improved display is extremely flexible in itsadaptations, and permits expansion to any desired number of tiers 10 ofdisplay supports. The lever 52 obviously not only serves as a commontamperproof locking mechanism for the display supports, but also permitsready release of the members 12, 14 for removal of any selected articlesfrom the spindle shafts. In addition, the locking lever 52 is sodesigned as to permit advertising or promotional material to bedisplayed above the display device, and the tiers 10 may be individuallyrotated about the common support shaft 16 for aid in consumer selectionof the desired articles. If it is desired to provide means forpositively preventing tampering, it is only necessary to lock the shankof the lever to the shaft 16, and to provide only authorized atttendantswith a key. The improved display comprises a minimum of parts and may befabricated of any suitable material such as plastic for quick and easyassembly by a novice. It is also apparent that the cam and leverarrangement 52, 54, 56 may be modified without departing from the spiritof this invention, and this cam and lever may be placed either above theupper plate member 14 or below the lower member 12 so as to provide forrelative movement of these members.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

We claim:

1. A merchandise display comprising, central shaft means for supportinga plurality of cooperable support members in axial alinement with atleast one of said support members being axially displaceable relative toan adjacent support member, means on said support members providingopposed axially spaced and alined spindle shafts cooperable to receivearticles of merchandise to be displayed, said support members beingaxially displaceable from each other a predetermined distance wherebyselected articles of merchandise may be placed on and removed fromselected axially alined pairs of said spindle shafts, and swingablelever means mounted adjacent the top of said shaft means and operable tomove said support members toward each other to thereby prevent removalof the articles of merchandise from said spindle shafts.

2. A merchandise display according to claim 1, wherein the supportmembers are vertically spaced and the spindle shafts of the uppersupport member extend downwardly while the spindle shafts of the nextadjacent lower support member extend upwardly.

3. A merchandise display according to claim 2, wherein the downwardlydirected spindle shafts of the upper support member arelonger than theupwardly directed spindle shafts of the next adjacent support member.

4. A merchandise display according to claim 2, wherein the supportmembers are rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft.

5. A merchandise display according to claim 1, wherein the supportmembers are urged axially away from each other by a spring compresedbetween adjacent support members, and the means operable to move theaxially displaceable support member toward the adjacent support memberis a cam operable to further compress the spring.

6. A merchandise display according to claim 5, wherein the supportmembers are rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft and each pair ofadjacent upper and lower support members cooperate to provide a tier forreceiving and displaying articles of merchandise. 1

7. A merchandise display comprising, a vertical support shaft, a pair ofcooperable support members in vertically spaced relationship androtatably mounted on said shaft, one of said support members beingaxially displaceable relative to the other support member, spindleshafts mounted on said support members, the shafts of the upper supportmember extending downwardly and the shafts of the lower support memberextending upwardly to thereby provide opposed and aligned pairsofspindle shafts which cooperate to receive articles of merchandise tobe displayed, one of said support members being axially displaceablefrom the other a predetermined distance whereby selected articles ofmerchandise may be placed on and removed from said aligned pairs ofspindle shafts, means to vertically move said one support member to wardthe other to thereby prevent removal of the articles of merchandise fromsaid spindle shafts, and means for keying said support members togetherfor simultaneous rotation.

8. The display according to claim 7 further characterized in that saidmeans for keying said support members together comprises a plurality ofposts between said members which also permits limited axial movement ofthe said one member relative to the other member.

9. A merchandise display comprising, a vertical support shaft, a pair ofcooperable support members in vertically spaced relationship androtatably mounted on said shaft, spindle shafts mounted on said supportmembers, the shafts of the upper support member extending downwardly andthe shafts of the lower support member extending upwardly to therebyprovide opposed and aligned pairs of spindle shafts which cooperate toreceive articles of merchandise to be displayed, one of said supportmembers being axially displaceable from the other a predetermineddistance whereby selected articles of merchandise may be placed on andremoved from said aligned pairs of spindle shafts, and swingable levermeans mounted between the upper end of said shaft and said one supportmember to vertically move said one support member toward the other aftersaid articles have been inserted on the spindles, to thereby preventremoval of the articles of merchandise from said spindle shafts.

10. A merchandise display comprising, a vertical support shaft, a pairof cooperable support members in vertically spaced relationship androtatably mounted on said shaft, spindle shafts mounted on said supportmembers, the shafts of the upper support member extending downwardly andthe shafts of the lower support member extending upwardly to therebyprovide opposed and aligned pairs of spindle shafts which cooperate toreceive articles of merchandise to be displayed, said downwardlyextending spindles being longer than said upwardly extending spindles,one of said support members being axially displaceable from the other apredetermined distance whereby selected articles of merchandise may beplaced on and removed from said aligned pairs of spindle shafts, andswingable lever locking means on said shaft to vertically move said onesupport member toward the other after said articles have been insertedon said spindle shafts to thereby prevent removal of the articles ofmerchandise from said spindle shafts.

11. A merchandise display comprising, a vertical support shaft, a pairof cooperable support members in vertically spaced relationship androtatably mounted on said shaft, bearing means located beneath saidlower member for supporting the weight of said members for rotation onsaid shaft, spindle shafts mounted on said support members, the shaftsof the upper support member extending downwardly and the shafts of thelower support member extending upwardly to thereby provide opposed andaligned pairs of spindle shafts which cooperate to receive articles ofmerchandise to be displayed, said downwardly extending spindles beinglonger than said upwardly extending spindles, one of said supportmembers being axially displaceable from the other a predetermineddistance whereby selected articles of merchandise may be placed on andremoved from said aligned pairs of spindle shafts, and swingable leverlocking means on said shaft and engageable with said one support memberto vertically move said one support member toward the other after saidarticles have been inserted on said spindle shafts to thereby preventremoval of the articles of merchandise from said spindle shafts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,488,213 3/1924 McElroy24.2-55.42 2,151,677 3/1939 Baker 242-5542 1,049,886 1/ 1913 Manson40-7'2 1,695,322 12/1928 Day 40--72 1,791,616 2/1931 Duclos 40 -721,930,843 10/1933 Pettis 4072 2,095,662 10/ 1937 Farrar 40--102 ROY D.FRAZIER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 40-72, 104.18

